Ottawa ON?

Yes, home now. Adjusting to snow. Ugh. I didn't even get to do my Fluid Film touchup before this first blast of winter.

Not sure what's up with my ball joint. I had a tech at a dealership in Las Vegas look at it while I was there, he said it was fine. IDK...very mysterious. I figured it was not on the verge of failing, so I kept on wheeling, did a few interesting trails before I drove home. I will swap it out sometime this winter, I guess. It's been like 80,000 km since it first was diagnosed as having play in it.

My re-entry into Canada at Sarnia:
CBSA officer: Hey, how's it going?
Me: Good.
CBSA officer, barely glancing at passport: Anything to declare?
Me: Nope.
CBSA officer: Welcome home.

Maybe would have been less smooth if I was bringing in used truck parts, eh Kemosabe?

 

You must have an honest face..

 

In past trips, border agents commented on the roof top tent, the Plano gun case on roof, the shovel... "What's the shovel for?" To bury the bodies in the desert, obviously.

 

those little trucks are tough, balljoint will last forever lol and yep, lesson learned! Better say I was out for an overlanding day than say I got truck parts even if they are used

i do too!

i think they are getting used to overlanders lol

 

Anyone know anybody in Ottawa who would be willing to swap a 3.4L v6 into my 2.7 4-cylinder Tacoma? I know the engine mounts are different locations but I assume a bit of grinding and welding can solve that. Anyone know what other difficulties one would run into?

I've asked a few mechanics but they're not willing to do it. I found an engine (just needs a new timing belt and cam sensor), but nobody to do the swap. My skill level is definitely not enough to do something like that myself. If anyone on here can do it, I'd be willing to throw my 160,000km 3RZ engine into the deal.

 

u changing the transmission as well? does the original tans bolt up to the V6?

 

Hmmm, not quite sure really... Hoping to see if anyone has more info about it

 

fair enough. I don't think the trans will bolt up. bigger engine it would be smart to swap out the radiator, new exhaust for sure, new wiring harness and ECU most likely, something tells me the Tach will be different as well. its doable but ur best bet is to buy a complete donor truck to just swap everything over. engine mount wont line up either as you predicted, from what I have read they are about 3/4'' further back. best thing is to take the mounts off the donor truck and weld them in the right place.

Theres some info on it in the first gen section and apparently this guy has done it:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/jacobrippeys-1995-v6-swapped-tacoma-single-cab-build.464821/

 

Hmmm, I mean I have my other v6 truck with the rotten frame, but it does seem like a ton of effort to do all this. Wondering whether or not it's worth it really. Any other ideas on how to get more power out of the 2.7, other than supercharging or regearing?

 

headers make a decent difference on the 4 bangers, not sure if they make in intake manifold spacer, not to get confused with a throttle body spacer. weight reduction? hahaha

 

Hahah doesn't help that I'm hauling around a ton of stuff in the bed usually for work

 

that certainly doesn't help

 

http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails/view/california-road-trail

might make for a nice drive come spring time before the leaf's grow in, or just in general

 

This is is in my backyard. Drove it many times. It is a nice drive, but not an "off-road destination" in my opinion. Could be interesting in winter I suppose, based on how much snow is present. Really, it's just a dirt road. There are some interesting side-trails off this road (along hydro line) but the road itself is nothing interesting. (Sorry!)

If you guys are interested in trails out this way, I can suggest some interesting alternates. And some cool group camping sites on pristine lakes. My brother (2016 DCLB) and I drove a lot of trails out here this fall.

BTW (!?!): isn't it time for an Ottawa-Gatineau Tacoma Owners Meet-&-Greet? Maybe at a pub this time (Clock Tower? some where on the Quebec side)? Little_Blue_Truck desperately wants an excuse to leave his family behind and meet fellow Tacoma owners for a pint or seven... ? pls? soon?

 

I'm in!

Don't mind Qc or On side. I'd like to go back at Wild Wings also, if it does it for everyone haha beer is good, and wings also!

 

Me and my Taco today. Nice day to get out boys...

 

Drove mine in the city to find an outdoor ice to play hockey. Unfortunately, they were all melted lol

 

this summer I plan on exploring some trails/do some camping. I would love to check out some trails out in Calabogie area and white lake area, they are beautiful spots. even just a day trail would be cool, but I would like to camp along the trail kind of thing.

so that's what your truck looks like hahaha I will have to keep an eye out for yah.

 

oh and @Little Blue Truck I agree about having a meet up soon!

 

I found this site, a little out dated but i'm sure the trails are still there lol

http://www.eotb.ca/category/trails/

I also joined OF4WD to get the trail maps, and I might buy one of those back road map books to see how they are. I would like to have a GPS so I can track what trails I have been on, drop pins in spots I camped or that are note worthy, like, stay the hell away, or beautiful look out point that kind of thing. There are some sweet ass GPS's that come hooked up with some sweet off roading maps and files and trails that people have been on, and its all logged too, what to expect on the trails like mud or deep water but its all in the US.